Advancing the community. Building partnerships. Providing opportunities. This was the order of business at the recent Diversity & Inclusion Speed Networking event, a joint venture by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) San Francisco and the San Francisco chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMASF).
In attendance were nine leading, Bay Area non-profit organizations that are focused on advancing diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives. AMASF and PRSA guests freely ambled about the room, partaking in delicious brisket (shout out to Hardwood Bar & Smokery) and poke bowls while chatting with representatives from the non-profits and getting to know more about their missions.
This was an occasion for marketers to identify prospects in volunteerism, both at an individual and corporate level. It was also an opportunity for organizations to make new organizational connections—to support each other’s services, and to create dynamic collaborations.
What You Can Do—For Yourself
On a personal level, philanthropy feels good, strengthens your sense of purpose, and betters your community, but it also helps you build your career. We’re all familiar with the standard resume template. In it are the key ways to show marketability: experience, education, skills, memberships, and maybe, if you’re a high achiever, awards and publications. And then there’s volunteering, which is also spotlighted on LinkedIn, bios, and job boards. It’s hard to miss. If you’re at a loss for what to say about your volunteering efforts, it may be time to do something about it.
What You Can Do—For Your Organization
These days, it’s normal for job seekers to care as much about the company’s “corporate conscience” as they do about the job itself. Embracing D&I, such as hiring a diverse workforce or supporting volunteerism initiatives, is integral to building an environment where people want to work. And the organization will benefit from having a more productive and loyal workforce. For more on this topic, check out this AMASF blog: “Cultivating Diversity & Inclusion at the Workplace: Why is it Important?”
These photos, taken by Dana Hargitay, professional photographer and visual artist, capture the convivial spirit of the evening.
Nine Non-Profits Committed to Building D&I in the Workplace
Take a closer look at the nine organizations that were featured at the event; they’re listed below. You may even want to do your own research for opportunities with other organizations—the San Francisco Bay area is rich in philanthropy.
Look for volunteering opportunities that promote your marketing skills, and maybe you can get your employer involved. It’s a great way to build your qualifications and personal interests on your résumé, facilitate volunteerism where you work, and bring vital services into your community.
About-Face: Turning Education into Action
About-Face equips teen girls with tools to fight back against messages in the media and other forms of culture that disempower and diminish them. They also educate parents, teachers, mentors, relatives, and group leaders so they can support their girls. They’re currently looking for volunteers to add value to their website, including submitting new items for the Galleries and writing up quick rants for the blog. They’re also looking for volunteer help with their social media initiatives.
The Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)
ALPFA is a national organization boasting over 90,000 members. Its purpose is to provide job opportunities and career resources for Latino students and professionals through scholarships, career fairs, and mentorship opportunities. The community calendar on their website lists events at the local, regional, and national levels as well as webinars and other virtual events. They also have an online, member-accessible career center.
Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC)
In 1965, this community-based organization was established as the operations center of the Chinese Culture Foundation. They host visual arts events in their gallery and promote educational events and festivals taking place in the community. CCC also offers spaces to host events. Currently, CCC’s website notes job openings and volunteer internships that would be of interest to marketers.
Dress for Success is a global organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Individuals and organizations can get involved by donating clothes, providing financial support, volunteering, or helping in other ways.
MAX is a social community for gay men and their friends. Their goal is to work together as a group to provide gay men in the San Francisco Bay Area with a large roster of social events that offer the greatest value possible for a fair cost.
mBolden’s mission is to champion female leaders in the mobile and digital space with content and events that inspire, empower, or connect their members. They host a variety of events throughout the year focused on leadership development, mentorship programs, networking events, and more. With over 10,000 members across the globe, mBolden is the largest community of women in digital, mobile, and tech. The San Francisco chapter has over 1,500 women in the Silicon Valley.
Narika is a local domestic violence agency that provides counseling and program services, legal, housing and job referrals primarily to survivors of South Asian descent. They offer a crisis line, Self-Empowerment and Economic Development programs for domestic violence survivors and for the community, support groups, the HEAL Program that integrates wellness, enrichment programs, and informational resources. They offer a variety of internship opportunities.
The SF LGBT Center is not just the bright purple building that catches your eye at 1800 Market Street, it’s a focal point for the LGBT community of San Francisco, where individuals who need resources, support, or a safe space to gather, can find comfort and celebration. They host over 200 programs and welcome more than 9,000 individuals each month, in addition to providing affordable office space. They volunteer opportunities available in various fields, including administrative support, event planning, and professional assistance such as resume and HR expertise.
Through the intersection of arts education and youth development practices, civic engagement strategies, and high quality artistic presentation, Youth Speaks creates safe spaces that challenge young people to find, develop, publicly present, and apply their voices as creators of societal change. They currently have positions available for individuals interested in fundraising and building community partnerships.
Here’s What Attendees Had to Say About Our Event
“I appreciated meeting potential volunteers who are in the marketing field, especially since our organization is all about counteracting the negative effects of advertising/marketing on teen girls’ mental health. Marketers in the Bay Area seem to have an awareness of these issues and a desire to reduce harm.” – Jennifer Berger, Executive Director, About-Face
“We had so much fun talking to new folks at the Diversity & Inclusion event, especially about the services that we provide – art exhibitions, walking tours of Chinatown, and private events for corporate VIP needs. It was so nice to meet the other nonprofits through the speed networking and we have made some nice connections where we can promote each other’s events and help float everyone’s boat in better engaging people in the arts and helping to support nonprofits.” – May Leong, Acting Executive Director, Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco
“The event was a great showcase of some of the bay areas non profits. I was moved by the love that passion that the volunteers have for their organizations.” – Diana Epstein, Sales Director, mBolden
“Narika was honored to represent at the AMA Diversity and Inclusion Speed Networking event and meet and greet so many marketing professionals interested in contributing towards social impact for our communities. The event was structured very effectively to ensure many people visited each non profit booth and spent some time understanding social issues and how they could contribute to the solution.” – Bindu Fernandes, Executive Director, Narika
We’d love to know how this information has helped you! If you attended the event, please share your experience. Also, if this blog has helped you build your network or strengthen your marketing profile, please let us know. Write to us at info@amasf.org.
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